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Vogelsong's stellar start sets up scoreless tie

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- San Francisco's Ryan Vogelsong and Milwaukee's Chris Narveson shared flawlessness for a significant portion of Wednesday afternoon as the Giants and Brewers played to a 0-0 tie in 10 innings at Scottsdale Stadium.

The Giants loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 10th against Josh Stinson before Francisco Peguero grounded to shortstop Yadiel Rivera, who started a double play by firing home to catcher Anderson De La Rosa, who completed it by throwing to first. After Cole Gillespie walked to reload the bags, Juan Ciriaco struck out to end the game.

Narveson maintained a perfect game for 4 2/3 innings until Peguero singled solidly to left field. That was the only baserunner allowed by Narveson, who entered the game with a 5.40 ERA. The left-hander struck out four while throwing only 62 pitches, including 43 strikes.

"When you get in those pitchers' duels, the pace just seems to flow," Narveson said. "We had that today, going back and forth. I think that helps you stay in a rhythm."

After Peguero's hit, Brewers shortstop Donnie Murphy went to Narveson and said, "Man, that was a good pitch." It was a low changeup.

"I didn't know how to pitch to him or anything; I was just trying to stay at the bottom of the zone," Narveson said. "He looks like a pretty good hitter, so I'm guessing he's one of their prospects."

Vogelsong, making his initial appearance for the Giants since ending his World Baseball Classic stint with Team USA, became San Francisco's first pitcher to last six innings this spring. The right-hander surrendered three hits while issuing one walk and striking out seven.

"I wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel," said Vogelsong, who threw 60 strikes in 82 pitches and went to only one three-ball count. "I was just trying to throw quality strikes and pound the zone."

Vogelsong, who sustained a perfect game for 3 2/3 innings before Martin Maldonado beat out an infield single, encountered trouble in the fifth. Caleb Gindl doubled with one out, and Sean Halton drew a two-out walk. Vogelsong responded by striking out Narveson.

The Giants threatened Milwaukee reliever John Axford in the seventh, which began with Marco Scutaro's single. Pinch-runner Kensuke Tanaka stole second base and went to third on Joaquin Arias' groundout. Axford ended the threat by coaxing Buster Posey's groundout with the infield playing shallow and inducing Brandon Belt's fly to right.

Up next for the Giants: Matt Cain will oppose the Colorado Rockies on Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz., in the Giants' final Cactus League night game, scheduled for 7:05 PT, live on Gameday Audio. Mathematicians would appreciate the progression of Cain's improvement this spring. Since allowing four runs in his first outing, the Giants' Opening Day starter has yielded one fewer run in each appearance, cresting with five shutout innings last Friday against Texas.

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.